Dubai's Disneyland? World's largest theme park opens its doors

IMG Worlds of Adventure is Dubai's answer to America's Disneyland - except the entire theme park is inside.

That's its unique selling point - a cool place to have fun away from the scorching heat.

CEO Lennard Otto says: "Today Dubai still suffers from a certain amount of seasonality during the June, July, August period. We will hopefully drive tourism during those periods to create Dubai as an all-year round destination."

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The $1 billion complex opens at the end of the month - two years late, thanks to construction problems.

It'll be the world's biggest indoor theme park, split into zones made up of Marvel characters, the Cartoon Network and the Lost Valley.

"Every world has its own story and its own feel to it," says Otto. "Whether you dine in one of the restaurants where you would have seen your favourite movie and super hero actor sitting in or your favourite cartoon network actor."

IMG hopes to attract 4.5 million visitors in its first year - generating over $400 million in revenue, but it'll have plenty of competition.

A park - run by the state - is due to open in Dubai at the end of the year.

Another with attractions based on the "Ice Age" and "The Simpsons" is planned for 2020.

And neighbour Saudi Arabia is also trying to cash in on the growing popularity of theme parks.

It's planning to build one as it attempts to diversify its economy away from oil.